RainFlo 480 User manual

MODEL 480
RAISED BED PLASTIC MULCH LAYER
OPERATING
MANUAL

Auto-Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......8,10,16
Bed Height. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............6
Bed Press................................7
Bed Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............6
Compression Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......7
Crowned Bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........7
Cutter (Plastic & Driptape) ..................16
Dirt Shield...............................12
Disk (Cover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......12,13
Disk (Front). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........13
Drip Irrigation Attachment....................9
Drip Tape Down Pipe .......................9
Features .................................4
Getting Started .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Helpful Tips............................5, 17
Options ..................................4
Parts Breakdown, Descriptions .....Coming Soon
Parts Breakdown, Exploded Views...Coming Soon
Plastic Rolls, Installing ......................8
Plastic Tensioning.........................10
Preparation Of Soil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Press Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........10
Ro-Trak, Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Ro-Trak, Sensor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Ro-Trak, Trouble Shooting ..................15
Safety First ...............................3
Trench Opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........11
Trouble Shooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2
Table Of Contents

Read and understand all caution labels on the machine.
No riders beyond the speed of 3 MPH.
Double check that everyone is clear before lowering the machine.
Use caution when turning around; machine is 9’ long.
Do not crawl under the machine when lifted.
Disk blades are sharp; stay clear.
Do not sit on machine except designated seat.
Tractor operator is responsible for extra worker(s) around machine.
Rain-Flo is not responsible for accidents if any should occur.
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!! Safety First !!
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Soil Preparation
4
* To build a full rm bed with no hollow spots, soil has to be
prepared properly.
* Proper soil moisture is important to form nice rm beds. For best
results, soil should not be powder dry or in muddy condition.
* There are many dierent types of soil. You will need to know what
soil preparation works best with your soil.
* Machine performs the best if plowed 6” to 8” deep.
* Soil should be harrowed or roto-tilled until free of sod lumps.
* Sandy loam soils are the easiest to make square, uniform beds.
480 Features
Options
• Automatic steering correction (Ro-trak)
• 60” row centers, 80 hp FWD Minimum
• Adjustable bed height; 4” or 8”
• Automatically starts plastic lm
• Manual plastic & drip tape cutters
• On the go plastic roll change
• On the go cover disks adjustment
• Adjustable crowned or at bed top
• Adjustable brake tension on plastic roll carriers
• Adjustable row markers
• Category II, 3-point hitch
• With operator seat
• Replaceable, reversible plow share blades
• UHMW (replaceable) poly lined bed press
• Quality powder coated paint
• Lays standard 48” plastic only
• Single or double drip attachment
• Hydraulic kit for cover disk adjustment

5
* Before laying plastic, we reccommend using the machine without mulch or
driptape. Make adjustments as needed for your soil type and become familiar
with the machine. Spread moldboards as far as possible when making the
second pass to lay the plastic mulch.
* Let full weight of machine down and regulate amount of soil between
moldboards using the compression rate turnbuckle.
* It is not necessary to pull more soil than needed to ll the bed. Pulling too much
soil may cause tractor slippage / side drifting.
* Moldboards can be adjusted closer or farther apart depending on soil type.
Getting Started
1. Adjust 3-point top link to level machine.
2. Load plastic roll into bottom roll cradle and spare roll into top
cradle.
3. Feed plastic through rollers (page 8).
4. Load driptape roll(s) onto carrier and feed through guides (page 9).
5. Compression rate regulates amount of soil between moldboards
and can be adjusted using turn buckle on the left* (page 7).
6. Bed crown (peak) can be adjusted by turning center turn buckle
(page 7).
7. Bed top width/bed height is adjusted by removing 4 hand pins
on each side press plate, move plates to the desired height/width,
and installing pins again. i.e For tall beds both side plates need
to be dropped down. NOTE; double check both sides are
adjusted equally (page 6).
8. Bed height can be ne tuned by using the turn buckle on
the right* to raise or lower the press pan and adjusting the
compression rate accordingly (page 6).
* Standing in back
Helpful Tips

Bed Height & Width Adjustment
Bed height and width is adjusted with four hand pins located on each
side of the bed press (See below).
To change from the 8” setting (pictured below) to a 4” setting use the
steps below.
1. Using the tractor, raise the machine approx 12” o the ground.
2. Remove the four hand pins.
3. Use the handles on the side plates to lift the bottom section until
the top section is in a at position.
4. Reinstall the hand pins in the bed width setting preferred.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the other side.
6. Fine tune bed height using the turn buckle on the right side (see
picture below).
7. Adjust press wheels to match new bed width (page 10).
4 Ft. Plastic
Bed Height Bed Top Width
4” .................. 30”, 32”
8” .................. 22”, 24”, 26”
Hand
Pins
Hand
Pins
6
Bed
Height
Turn-
buckle

7
Compression Rate Adjustment
Compression rate or angle of the bed press regulates the amount of soil
between the moldboards. It is adjusted using the turnbuckle on the left (see
below).
If you have insucient soil or a hollow bed use less compression by
lowering the front of the bed press. If there is too much soil building up
use more compression by raising the front of the bed press. Excessive
compression does not form a rm bed and is not reccommended.
Compression can be changed while laying as soil type and conditions
change.
Important; Changing compression will change driptape bury depth.
Crowned Bed Adjustment
Compression
Turnbuckle
The crown or peak of the bed (see below) is useful to drain water o
the top of the bed in leval elds. It can be adjusted using the center
turnbuckle (see above).
Crowned Bed
Turnbuckle

8
Installing Plastic Rolls
To install plastic rolls, place feed roll on top of rollers (A) and spare roll
on rollers (D). Pull end of plastic down between rollers and in front of 2”
roller (B). Next feed it between the 4” green and 3” silver rollers (C). See
illustration below.
Make sure plastic mulch is between tires and green roller for Auto-Start.
A
B
C
Plastic
Spare
Plastic
Roll
Feed
Roll
Drive
Roller
A
B
C
On The Go Roll Change
When the feed roll is almost empty the spare roll can be started
without stopping. This leaves only a seam across the bed.
1. Adjust the spare roll tension so it can spin freely (page 10).
2. Feed plastic through rollers (D) and pull out approx. 2’ of plastic.
3. Feed wad of plastic through rollers (A) and (C). Plastic will now
be feeding o of both rolls.
4. When feed roll is empty remove core from cradle.
5. Pull cable (E) to release latch.
6. Slowly pull handle (F) forward toward tractor to drop the plastic
roll to the feed postion. After it has dropped push handle back
until it latches.
7. Place new spare roll on top rollers (D).
Caution; keep ngers clear of spinning rollers.
D
E
D
F

Installing Drip Tape Roll
9
Drip Irr. Tape Placement
Driptape
Down Pipes
Slide drip roll onto roll carrier rod so
that drip emitter will be turned up toward
plastic (for less clogging).
Feed drip tape through the rst guide
on the swing arm and through the second
guide that’s bolted on the drip roll carrier
frame. (See illustration below.)
NOTE;
Make sure
drip roll is
compressed rmly
between plates,
for positive braking eect.
Feed driptape through the
guides on the spool carrier and
into the driptape down pipe.
To avoid damaging driptape
with the press pan, adjust top
of down pipe about 1” to 2”
below the plastic mulch.
Turn drip emitters up toward
the plastic for less clogging.
Changing compression will
change driptape bury depth.
Drip Tape
Guides /
Rollers
Shown with optional double drip attachment.

Press Wheel Adjustment
Press wheels need to run at the bottom of the trench and not on the
side to stretch the plastic properly. Adjust the position of the press
wheel using pin (A).
After bed height/width is changed press wheels need to be adjusted
according.
The spring provides down pressure on the press wheel and is
important for Auto-Start. Adjust the down pressure by using pin (B).
Avoid excessive spring tension which can cause the plastic to tear.
Plastic Tension
Plastic rolls have a tension brake.
Just a slight tension is needed.
Setting brake tension too tight
may aect the performance of the
machine and can cause plastic to
pull out from under press wheels.
Tension
Brake
Adjustment
10
A
B

11
Trench Opener Adjustment
IMPORTANT!
Adjust machine so that 5” of plastic is covered on both sides
5”
Plastic
5”
Trench openers cut a trench along the sides of the bed. This allows
plastic edges to form a ‘cup’ when covered with soil and prevents the
plastic from being lifted from wind.
Plastic
“Cup”
Raise bed
Trench
Openers
Depth
Adjustment
Depth
Adjustment

12
Cover Disk Adjustments
Dirt Shield
Adjustment
Left / Right
Adjustment
Angle
Adjustment
Dirt Shield
Adjustment
Cover disks and dirt shields are marked right and left side (standing
in back). Install shields as marked and shown below.
Use inside turnbuckles to set disks on a 45 degree angle. Make left /
right adjustment as needed using the outside turnbuckles.
For more or less coverage, tilt disk forward or backward as decal
shows (pictured at bottom). Springs can be hooked into dierent slots
to adjust down pressure on the disks.
For heavy clay soil tilt disks upright and use more down pressure.
For sandy loam soil set disks atter with less down pressure.
Tilt
Adjustment
Down Pressure
Adjustment
Left / right and angle adjustments can be made on the go without stopping
tractor.

Front Disk Adjustment
Depth
Adjustment
Angle
Adjustment
Front disks help ll the bed and loosen more soil for the cover
disks. Swing the disk out using the angle adjustment to get more soil.
Swing disks in for narrow row centers.
Depending on soil type disks can be adjusted deeper for more soil.
In the front setting the disks transfer more soil to ll the bed and
less for coverage. In the back setting they transfer more soil for the
covering disks.
Front / Back
Adjustment
Optional Hyd. Disk Adjustment
13
There’s a hydraulic kit available for the cover disks that is useful for
elds that have varying soil types and conditions.
Adjustments can be made from the seat while on the go.

14
Ro-Trak Sensor
AUTO RO-TRAK
*Ro-trak has the most benets on hillsides and contours.
*Automatically steers to correct machine side drifting.
*Ro-trak is activated by a sensor at back of machine.
Helpful Tips
*When installing Hyd pump, lead hoses through 3-point A frame.
*Inspect and make sensor square to machine.
*12 volts can be supplied by tractor or a separate battery.
*Ro-trak requires only low RPM pto speed to function.
*Ro-trak sensor foldes up and is secured by magnet for transportation.
*Hollow bed can eect Ro-trak performance.
*If machine has not been used for a period of time, it may be
necessary to manually move the valve spools several times to get
oil through the system.
*With pto pump running, use a Phillips screw driver and push
the silver tip of the spool inward approximately ¼” (Page 15.)
*Manual Ro-trak is operated with tractor hydraulics and must be
steered by tractor operator.
Sensor wire
plug
Micro switches
to change
sensitivity
Use square
when bolting
sensor arm
to machine
Transport
cut o󰀨
switch

15
Ro-Trak not functioning? Check for these problems.
1. Is the PTO engaged?
2. Is a 12 volt battery properly connected?
3. Is sensor at the back of machine plugged in (page 14)?
4. Check oil level.
5. Check for any damaged hoses or wires.
6. Check for loose wire connections /plugs.
7. Is sensor lifted 3” or more? (Sensor has transport cut o switch).
8. Do the indicator lights in the sensor micro switches light up (page 14)?
9. Do the indicator lights in the wire plugs light-up (see below)?
10. If indicator lights light-up and Ro-trak doesn’t function, push in both
silver pins on solenoid spools several times using a screwdriver.
11. If indicator lights do not light up, remove lid of grey box on back of
sensor and check for loose wires.
12. Call Rain-Flo at 717-445-3000.
Hyd. Oil Level
Solenoid Valve
Oil Level
1. Periodically check oil level. Low oil level may cause air
to come into the system and eect Ro-trak performance.
2. Change oil and lter every 200 hours or 3 years (ISO 46 Hyd. Oil).
3. Check for any damaged hoses or electric wires.
Auto Ro-Trak Maintenance
Valve
Spools
Silver Tip
Indicator
Lights
Valve
Spool
Silver Tip

Plastic Mulch Cutter
Plastic Mulch
Cutter Handle
The plastic mulch cutter enables the machine operator to cut the plastic
lm from the seat.
At the end of the row raise machine approximately 12” o the ground and
pull handle to lower the cutter. Drive tractor forward several feet and plastic
mulch will tear o.
Plastic mulch will start automatically at next row !!
Drip Tape Cutter
Hold driptape with both hands approximatly 4” apart. Swipe driptape
down into slot to cut it.
Tip; After cutting driptape pull several feet o roll and feed into
downpipe. When starting the next row spin driptape roll by hand until soil
has enough resistance to prevent driptape from pulling along.
Driptape Cutter
16
Driptape Downpipe

17
Helpful Tips
* Adjust 3-point top link on tractor to level machine.
* Periodically check for shallow spots in bed; hollow bed will
eect planting and hinder plant growth.
* We recommend two or more people when laying plastic mulch
to maintain proper machine adjustment.
* A sizable tractor is needed for stability and lifting power. Minimum
tractor size for Model 480 is approximately 80 HP.
* This machine can also be used for a bedder only, (without laying
plastic). The rear cover disks and tires can be removed for this
application.
* Avoid over steering; rear cover disk will move far and cut into
plastic. Careful steering will also provide more uniform coverage.
* Stretching plastic in length and side to side will help prevent
plastic from blowing o.
* Check drip tape down pipe for wearing to avoid damaging drip
tape from sharp edges.
Warranty
All Rain-Flo mulch layers have a two year warranty against defects
in material and workmanship.
If any part is found defective, return the defective part with serial
No. of the machine. If Rain-Flo nds it defective, it will be replaced
or repaired at no charge.
Call Customer Service at [phone] Fax [phone]

PROBLEM Machine tends to drift sideways causing disks to cut into
plastic mulch.
SOLUTION * Pull less soil. Pull just enough to ll a rm bed.
* Adjust 3-point top link and/or compression rate (page 7).
* If your machine has Manual Ro-Trak, make sure the sway
bar is in place and machine centered.
* On Auto Ro-Trak machines, make sure Ro-Trak is
functioning properly.
* Tractor may be too small.
PROBLEM Cover disks not getting enough soil to cover plastic.
SOLUTION * Tilt disks back to dig in more (page 12).
* Adjust front disks deeper or move to back setting (page 13).
PROBLEM Plastic edges not staying under press wheels.
SOLUTION * Tension too tight on plastic roll carrier (page 10).
* Adjust press wheels closer to bed (page 10).
PROBLEM Ro-Trak not functioning.
SOLUTION * Follow Ro-Trak information, page 14 and 15.
PROBLEM Beds aren’t rm or have hollow spots in center.
SOLUTION * Tractor’s 3-point or draft control might be lifting up.
* Adjust front disks deeper or move to front setting (page 13).
* Use less compression (page 7).
* Soil not tilled deep enough for bed height.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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TROUBLESHOOTING
Call customer service at [phone] with any other questions or feedback.

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~2019 Edition~
Rain-Flo Irrigation
929 Reading Road
East Earl, PA 17519
PH: [phone]